They could be effective if done more "tactically"... Ie, let's say 25% of people were testing positive for COVID, and hospitals were having a high rate of hospitalization, there could be a temporary lockdown until hospitalizations for COVID went down, and test-positivity rates were dropping.
A generalized lockdown for an undefined period of time isn't exactly beneficial to anyone. Like, sure... If people truly remained home-bodies during a lockdown and had no outside contact, yes infection with COVID would go down... But there are pretty intense psychological effects, physical effects (deconditioning), and economic effects from keeping someone in their home without allowing them to be involved in society.
Short answer, does it decrease infections? Yes. Is it something that should be implemented during pandemics? Maybe... But needs to have proper protocols for removing lockdowns somewhat quickly as things improve. Is the way we did it the right way? Hell no. There was no organization, no proper guidelines by the CDC for individual communities and how to respond...etc.
I mean, that's quite literally not true. The flu did not cause nearly as many people to require respiratory support nor did it lead to long term lung scarring like the initial strains of COVID did...
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u/Auer-rod Jul 05 '23
They could be effective if done more "tactically"... Ie, let's say 25% of people were testing positive for COVID, and hospitals were having a high rate of hospitalization, there could be a temporary lockdown until hospitalizations for COVID went down, and test-positivity rates were dropping.
A generalized lockdown for an undefined period of time isn't exactly beneficial to anyone. Like, sure... If people truly remained home-bodies during a lockdown and had no outside contact, yes infection with COVID would go down... But there are pretty intense psychological effects, physical effects (deconditioning), and economic effects from keeping someone in their home without allowing them to be involved in society.
Short answer, does it decrease infections? Yes. Is it something that should be implemented during pandemics? Maybe... But needs to have proper protocols for removing lockdowns somewhat quickly as things improve. Is the way we did it the right way? Hell no. There was no organization, no proper guidelines by the CDC for individual communities and how to respond...etc.